Hurricane Harvey Response Must Include Programs to Protect Affected Workers

WASHINGTON — The following is a statement from Christine Owens, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project, on the importance of state and federal programs to protect those affected:

“As we witnessed in the aftermath of prior disasters, there are major gaps in the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and state unemployment insurance (UI) programs. Much more needs to be done to ensure that jobless workers and local businesses in Texas and Louisiana can fully rebuild. Our thoughts are with the families and communities severely affected by Hurricane Harvey, and we urge all our elected officials involved in the recovery effort to focus on creating robust security programs so we are less vulnerable when the next disaster hits.”

WASHINGTON — The following is a statement from Christine Owens, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project, on the importance of state and federal programs to protect those affected:

“As we witnessed in the aftermath of prior disasters, there are major gaps in the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and state unemployment insurance (UI) programs. Much more needs to be done to ensure that jobless workers and local businesses in Texas and Louisiana can fully rebuild. Our thoughts are with the families and communities severely affected by Hurricane Harvey, and we urge all our elected officials involved in the recovery effort to focus on creating robust security programs so we are less vulnerable when the next disaster hits.”